Boarding Or Pet Sitting: Which Is Best For You?

September is Pet Sitter Education Month! This is a topic that affects almost all pet owners at some point. Sooner or later, you’ll need to entrust your furry friend into someone else’s care. Petsitting services have gotten quite popular recently, but are they the best choice? A San Antonio, TX vet lists some things to consider below.

Basics

Petsitters and kennels both provide similar services, but in different ways. Petsitters will usually go over to your place, to walk, feed, and/or check on your furry friend. Boarding is basically bringing your pet to a hotel. Boarded pets can enjoy things like play sessions and super comfy beds. They’ll also be monitored all day long, and may be able to interact and play with other ‘guests.’

Pros/Cons

There are some pros and cons to consider with petsitters. This can be an easy solution. However, you’ll be letting someone into your home. While reputable services screen their sitters, there’s no way to completely rule out the possibility of a bad experience. Your pet will also spend most of their time alone. Having a friend or family member stop over may seem like a great option. Just keep in mind that if something were to happen, it could seriously impact your relationship. Another plus for boarding? You may be able to combine services, such as grooming, which means you get to pick up a clean, fresh pet to cuddle with after a trip.

Situations

Of course, whether you need to board your pet or hire a sitter also depends on how long you’ll be gone. If you’re just working a few hours late, boarding may not make sense. The kennel may be closed when you get done, which would mean leaving your pet overnight. Speaking of overnights, we generally would recommend boarding if you will be gone overnight or longer. Boarding is also the better choice if you are having a major event, such as giving birth; having a medical procedure done; on moving days, to keep pets safely out of the way; and sometimes during home renovations or repairs. Animals that are elderly, sick, or extremely mischievous are also better off being boarded, as are young kittens and puppies. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Do you need to board your pet? Contact us, your San Antonio, TX animal clinic, today!